diff --git a/backend/grant/comment/models.py b/backend/grant/comment/models.py
index 6b41cd7b..4fca9241 100644
--- a/backend/grant/comment/models.py
+++ b/backend/grant/comment/models.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import datetime
 from functools import reduce
 from grant.extensions import ma, db
 from grant.utils.ma_fields import UnixDate
-from marshmallow import pre_dump
 from sqlalchemy.orm import raiseload
 
 HIDDEN_CONTENT = '~~comment removed by admin~~'
@@ -88,13 +87,6 @@ class CommentSchema(ma.Schema):
     def get_replies(self, obj):
         return comments_schema.dump(filter_dead(obj.replies))
 
-    # filter out top-level "dead" comments
-    @pre_dump(pass_many=True)
-    def clear_hidden(self, data, many):
-        if many:
-            return filter_dead(data)
-        return data
-
 
 comment_schema = CommentSchema()
 comments_schema = CommentSchema(many=True)
diff --git a/backend/grant/proposal/views.py b/backend/grant/proposal/views.py
index dcc8de77..0f51fbaf 100644
--- a/backend/grant/proposal/views.py
+++ b/backend/grant/proposal/views.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def get_proposal_comments(proposal_id, page, filters, search, sort):
     filters_workaround = request.args.getlist('filters[]')
     page = pagination.comment(
         schema=comments_schema,
-        query=Comment.query.filter_by(proposal_id=proposal_id, parent_comment_id=None),
+        query=Comment.query.filter_by(proposal_id=proposal_id, parent_comment_id=None, hidden=False),
         page=page,
         filters=filters_workaround,
         search=search,